27-04-2025
On this day: stone carver unveils forest scene at Flower Show
On this day in 2024, the York Press reported that a York-based stone carver had unveiled his latest creation at the Harrogate Flower Show.
Anthony Bartyla, of Raven and Hare Sculpture, crafted a forest scene featuring a fox and pheasant at sunset.
The piece was set to be displayed at the show on the day of reporting (Saturday, April 27, 2024), and the following day.
Mr Bartyla said at the time: "I've always been arty, but around the age of 30, I just discovered I can do this, and these shows give me a great chance to showcase my work."
Despite usually using stone from Tadcaster Quarry (the same stone used at the Minster), this sculpture was made from Portland stone.
The sculpture was "likely to last for 250 years and longer still if kept out of the elements," according to this paper at the time.
Mr Bartyla completed the sculpture over four days in a public display in Parliament Street, York.
He said: "I had an idea of a little woodland path, then created the trees and flowers to show the sculpture.
"The only thing I'm waiting for is some handmade glass to make it more sunset – that's the only thing that'll change.
"I'd like to see it mounted so it glows when the sunset hits it."
Mr Bartyla expressed a wish to sell enough of his work to fund his admission to a course at the Florence School of Art, where he would learn to sculpt in the style of the Florentine masters.
